KLANG: Government departments and agencies related to border control have been urged to intensify enforcement and control at the country’s entry points to deal with the entry of cheap illegal livestock with a questionable health status, ahead of the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said intensified control and enforcement, particularly at the northern border and the east coast of the peninsula, could help the ministry’s efforts to curb the illegal entry of livestock, which also has an impact on price competition for local breeders.

“This step is important to combat the smuggling of goats and cattle with questionable health status into the country.

“If these livestock enter without following the legal process, it will have effects on our breeders, especially in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perak, and for that reason, we hope that enforcement at the border will be intensified,” he said.

Mohamad said this to reporters after launching the Agriculture Department’s 2024 Plant Subsector Development Symposium yesterday, Bernama reported.

Earlier, he launched a mobile development service facility, known as the plant clinic, at the three-day symposium that started on Sunday.

It provides facilities such as mini laboratories (water/soil analysis services, disease/pest diagnostics), reference materials, discussion rooms and exhibition facilities.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/30/mat-sabu-tighten-borders-to-curb-unhealthy-livestock